Hi im a Newbie just looking for some advice.

[shazzyxuk]

Hi there ive had copd for 2 years now. but after recurrent infections and my first ever hospital admission my GP seems to have done all she can re:spiriva, ventolin,serevent,mucodyne, and simulair. She is sending me for a CT scan. What results can i expect from this? Im very scared and dont want to die yet

[Hidden]

sorry you've not been well,id wait on the results of the scan, and I don't think yer going to die yet so don't worry keep breathing,ring the blf up at 10am, number is, 03000 030 555, and a nurse will talk and reassure you of any fears you have,the forum is on 24/7,theres members on hear over 80 yrs old,good luck on the scan and come back and tell members the results, wishing you well,xxx you will get more replys so stay with us,dont worry

[PositiveThoughts]

Dont be scared this is a routine CT scan we all have to have these tests to see if there is a problem, its just a way of a full MOT if you like.. Everyone gets scared but think of it like this, you are very lucky to be in good hands in the NHS having your checks done.!don't panic.We all get health scares through our life take things as they come, stay off the internet and dont waste that energy worrying every night, wasted energy , think about something else and get your body checks all in order.. anxiety is crippling for you and your family.. Possibly see your GP and tell them your a little anxious at the moment maybe they can offer more support for you x

[mustcarryon]

Oh sweetheart

Please don't worry too much, we have all been there. It's easier said than done, but as twiceshy says wait for the results. do phone blf. Take care, let us know how things are. xxx

[Puffthemagicdragon]

Hello shazzyxuk. I've had COPD for 3 years and had my first proper admission a few weeks back.I had a really bad infection. With the help of some good doctors we got rid of the infection and now I'm back to normal. A has been said on here, the CT scan is a checkup. Please try not to worry.

[katieoxo60]

Welcome Shazzyxuk, as said scans are routine when you have COPD, they are used to monitor the illness these days as they are better than old fashioned Xrays. It is all part of the treatment and management of your illness. Good luck with the results

[Hidden]

So sorry you have been unwell. My husband suffers with severe COPD and has done for some years - he is still here!! Don't think you will die just yet! Please call the BLF nurses (click on the red balloon) - the nurses will be able to give you some good practical advise. Good luck with the scan and let us know what the results are. Take good care of yourself and try not to worry. TAD xxx

[Claudine]

You're actually lucky to be offered a scan - some doctors seem to think an X-ray will do and it just doesn't give the detail of a scan. The doc will go through the pictures with you and explain what he can see (hopefully). I was given the diagnosis of COPD which, after a scan, was changed to Bronchiectasis so it can be very valuable. Good luck.

[ptliverpool]

Hi Shazzyxuk I have been diagnosed for 14 months now and have had 3 scans. How did you get diagnosed without a scan? I am looking forward to my next results (next wednesday) as although I have had a couple of infections since my last one I have been to PR and am feeling fitter in between infections. I am sure the consultant will see the difference in me. Dont be scared of the scan it is only a tool to let the specialists know what is going on in your lungs.Seek help if you feel you need to. (G.P or helpline).

[peege]

Hi, welcome to the site.

If you actually have copd you wont be dying anytime soon shazzy.

Lots of people talk about being in control of their copd rather than copd controlling them.

I never used to understand that until I'd been on this site with all the wonderful kind folks sharing and giving their knowledge & experiences...... but a year on from similar feelings to yours, I do and I'm in control now.

It's great you're having a CT scan. It's what you need for a proper diagnosis - if there's anything to diagnose. You may be lucky like me and find that a CT scan proves you dont have an actual lung disease at all ! All mine showed is that there's minimal damage from the pneumonias & chronic infections from the previous 5 years. It was wonderful to see I can tell you.

You've got some great replies so please take notice of them and come back & let us know how you get on.

btw different hospitals have different systems, I had to wait 6 months for my ct scan via local hospital after referral from GP. The best thing you can do is keep coming on here to learn (but remember some folks here are many years ahead of you) and read through all the information on the BLF website. Dont worry (what good will that do)? There's so much you can do to improve your lot.

All the best. P

[skinnylizzy59]

Hi Shazzyxuk, I'm on exactly the same treatment as you, I have been in hospital several times for iv antibiotics over the past 12 years. I too had a CT scan, it's just a more detailed X-ray so don't worry, I'm, 73 and I'm still here. Take care. Lizzy

[FarmerD]

Hello Shazzy finding this site is a good start to understanding lung problems.I was diagnosed with severe Copd ten years ago,I was,nt even aware it was severe,I blame my Copd nurse for this although it,s my own fault really.In 2013 was admitted to hospital ,a later ct scan revealed I had severe emphysema and pneumonia.I stopped smoking then.I try to exercise as much as I can and eat well I also try to keep positive as stress and anxiety only make the condition worse.So try not to worry things are usually not as black as we at first think.Stay with the site and let us know how you are getting on and we,ll help you cope.Take care.D.

[helingmic]

I agree with others, A CT scan is a really big kind of Xray, but taken in slices - the device goes in bit by bit so they can zoom in on one part or two if there's a problem. Better to see where it is, if there's one.

My only thinking is, shouldn't it be a consultant who really should do this job. You could ask your GP to refer you to a consultant. AFter all, a lung consultant sees through tons of this kind of stuff. He studied specially all the ins and out of lung problems and can help you with targeting drugs. Also, it would be advisable to ask to be referred to a Pulmonary Team nurses. They are really great in monitoring what's going on; they know a fair bit about patient's discomfort and will help you with berating difficulty. They can refer you to a physiotherapist who can teach you how to cough up when you've got mucus; they can also refer you to Pulmonary Rehabilitation, which gather a few ill people to assess them, give them all the information about lungs, drugs, inhalers, oxygen, the lot. Then they enrol you into exercises which will gear you toward an improvement in managing your lungs. I hope you ask for all these you are entitle to. Best of luck.

[dustbunny]

Hi Shazzyxuk, I don't know if you've had your CT scan yet, but when they do it, tell them or tell your doctor to do it with "contrast", meaning have it done with the dye they inject you with. I had two scans done in 5 months time, and if the first had been done with the contrast, they would have found my problem much sooner, way back 5 months ago!The contrast makes things almost "light up" and makes it easier to see anything that shouldn't be there. (I was diagnosed with cancer, but don't go getting scared, the CT scan is just a better look than an x-ray, I just wanted you to get the best picture you can because it does make a difference). Good luck to you, feel better!

[Bryju124]

Me too I have recently had pulmonary function tests and an echocardiograph, heart was good no problems there, copd moderate, going for ct scan on lungs to get to the bottom of my severe breathing probs. really feel like this consultant cares and am looking forward to finding out just what's going on and looking on the bright side maybe something can be done to help. Am on oxygen fifteen hours per day at the moment. So keep your chin up, think positive it helps, good luck x

[Pagandog]

I have PH and when I was diagnosed my first thought was now I know what I am dealing with. I am a great believer in knowing my enemy. It can't be cured and I have an autoimmune disease as well which caused the PH. That was 3 years ago and since starting treatment I have been stable. Stay positive. You will die one day, but not yet

[peege]

BTW the GP can refer you but it's the cons who requests the CT scan. When you get to cons you'll get lung function test (all good stuff) he/she might not offer you the ct scan, make sure you insist on one. I had to fight for mine, fell out with horrible con but got one in the end through a lovely registrar. If I had my time over I'd beg borrow or steal toga ve had ct 6 months & several infections earlier. All the best, don't worry. Tests are good

[2malinka]

Hi Shazzy

Try not worry. I too had 2 hospital admissions. 22/12/13-31/12/12 & 31/01/14-17/02/14 after two awful chest infections. I had never been hospitalized before & I have had COPD since 2003. I had a scan about 4 years ago just to confirm that is was COPD then I had a second scan while I was in the hospital. I believe it is basically just to rule out other problems. Unfortunately my GP, like most, don't know enough about COPD. It was always a case of 'try this and that.' All the best.